Multi-use electrical box

ABSTRACT

An electrical box including a peripheral wall defining an outer perimeter and having a first end opposite a second end along a central axis, a first opening in the first end, a second opening in the second end, a dividing wall located between the first opening and the second opening, and wherein the first opening is arranged to secure a first electrical device on a first side of a structural wall and the second opening is arranged to secure a second electrical device on a second side of the structural wall.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/366,086 entitled “CONFIGURABLE ELECTRICAL BOX”TO Shotey et al. which was filed on Feb. 5, 2009, the contents of whichis hereby incorporated herein by reference; this application also claimsthe benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application61/248,337 entitled “MULTI-USE ELECTRICAL BOX” to Shotey et al. whichwas filed on Oct. 2, 2009, the contents of which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

Aspects of this document relate generally to electrical boxes.

2. Background Art

Electrical boxes are manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes.Electrical boxes may be rectangular with one, two, three, or more gangs,each arranged to receive an electrical device. Such conventionalelectrical boxes typically consist of a generally box-shaped structurethat is mounted to a wall stud or other interior wall structure via oneor more nails, screws, or other fastening devices. An electrical box istypically a one-piece structure and contains an opening for anelectrical device or connector which is typically installed within thebox after the box is mounted within a wall. If a homeowner desireselectrical switches or outlets on both sides of a wall, the electricianwill install a pair of electrical boxes with the openings facingopposite sides and merely offset from one another.

SUMMARY

Aspects of this document relate to electrical boxes. In one aspect, anelectrical box includes a peripheral wall defining an outer perimeterand having a first end opposite a second end along a central axis, afirst opening in the first end, a second opening in the second end, adividing wall located between the first opening and the second opening;and, wherein the first opening is arranged to secure a first electricaldevice on a first side of a structural wall and the second opening isarranged to secure a second electrical device on a second side of thestructural wall.

Particular implementations may comprise one or more of the followingfeatures. The dividing wall may be located halfway between the firstopening and the second opening. The dividing wall may at least partiallydefine two chambers. The electrical box may include a plurality of cordclamps in the dividing wall. The plurality of cord clamps may allowcommunication between the two chambers. A portion of the plurality ofcord clamps may permit electrical wire to feed in a first direction andanother portion of the plurality of cord clamps may permit electricalwire to feed in a second direction opposite the first direction. Theelectrical box may further include a plurality of cord clamps in theperipheral wall. The plurality of cord clamps may be in a top portionand a bottom portion of the peripheral wall.

The electrical box may also include a pair of mounting apertures forsecuring the electrical box to the structural wall. The mountingapertures may be located on a top portion and a bottom portion of theperipheral wall and are angled with respect to the top and bottomportions. The peripheral wall may include a predetermined depth from thefirst opening to the second opening approximately equal to thestructural wall thickness. The predetermined depth may be approximately4.25 inches. The electrical box may further include electrical devicemounting tabs integral with the peripheral wall. The peripheral wall maybe composed of a metal or a plastic. The dividing wall may at leastpartially define a first chamber and a second chamber, and wherein thefirst chamber receives a high voltage supply and the second chamberreceives a low voltage supply.

In another aspect, a system for providing access to electrical deviceson two sides of a structural wall including a housing having a centralpassage therein and terminating in a first opening at a first end and asecond opening at a second end, a central divider separating the firstend and the second end, a first electrical device secured to themounting tabs at the first end and extending into the first opening, anda second electrical device secured to the mounting tabs at the secondend and extending into the second opening.

In particular implementations, the central divider may further include aplurality of cord clamps. The first electrical device may beelectrically connected to the second electrical device through at leastone of the plurality of cord clamps. The housing may further include aplurality of cord clamps. The housing may further include a pair ofmounting apertures for securing the electrical box to the structuralwall.

Aspects and applications of the disclosure presented here are describedbelow in the drawings and detailed description. Unless specificallynoted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specificationand the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning tothose of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. The inventors are fullyaware that they can be their own lexicographers if desired. Theinventors expressly elect, as their own lexicographers, to use only theplain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claimsunless they clearly state otherwise and then further, expressly setforth the “special” definition of that term and explain how it differsfrom the plain and ordinary meaning. Absent such clear statements ofintent to apply a “special” definition, it is the inventors' intent anddesire that the simple, plain and ordinary meaning to the terms beapplied to the interpretation of the specification and claims.

The inventors are also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar.Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be furthercharacterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term,or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptiveterms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts ofEnglish grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms,or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases begiven their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in theapplicable arts as set forth above.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will beapparent to those artisans of ordinary skill in the art from theDESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described inconjunction with the appended drawings, where like designations denotelike elements, and:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical box;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electrical box mounted to astructural wall and electrical devices secured therein; and,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an electrical box mounted to astructural wall and the electrical box peripheral wall removed.

DESCRIPTION

This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to thespecific components or assembly procedures disclosed herein. Manyadditional components and assembly procedures known in the artconsistent with the intended operation and assembly procedures for anelectrical box will become apparent for use with implementations of anelectrical box from this disclosure. Accordingly, for example, althoughparticular components are disclosed, such components and otherimplementing components may comprise any shape, size, style, type,model, version, measurement, concentration, material, quantity, and/orthe like as is known in the art for such implementing components,consistent with the intended operation of an electrical box.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an electrical box 10 with a housing orperipheral wall 12. Peripheral wall 12 includes a top portion 14, aright portion 16, a bottom portion 18, and a left portion 20. A divider22 is located within peripheral wall 12 and combined define a firstchamber 24 on a first side of divider 22 and a second chamber 26 on asecond side of divider 22. First chamber 24 extends forward from divider22 and terminates at a front surface 28, while second chamber 26 extendsforward from divider 22 and terminates at a front surface 30. Divider 22may be located at a point halfway between front surface 28 and frontsurface 30 or any position there between. Further, divider 22 may belocated along a central axis 32 of electrical box 10.

Front surface 28 defines a first end and a first opening with electricaldevice mounting tabs 34 having holes 36, while front surface 30 definesa second end and a first opening with electrical device mounting tabsand holes. Electrical box 10 may be mounted to a structural wall 38 atupper mounting aperture 40 and lower mounting aperture 42. Specifically,the mounting apertures extend, respectively, from top portion 14 andbottom portion 18 at an angle and are offset by a spacer 44.

A plurality of cord clamps 46 are located throughout electrical box 10and are preferably located in top portion 14, bottom portion 18, anddivider 22. For example, four cord clamps 46 are located in each of thetop portion, the bottom portion, and the divider in a particularimplementation, although any suitable number of cord clamps may beutilized. Further, cord clamps 46 in top portion 14 and bottom portion18 are biased to permit electrical wire to enter the first and secondchambers from outside the electrical box but prevent the wire fromtraveling in the opposite direction. Divider 22 may have a pair of cordclamps permitting electrical wire to travel from the first chamber intothe second chamber, but not the opposite direction and a second pair ofcord clamps permitting electrical wire to travel from the second chamberinto the first chamber, but not the opposite direction.

Still further, peripheral wall 12 may have a depth D approximately equalto the thickness of structural wall 38. The structural wall may alsoinclude drywall or plaster (not shown) on each wall, thereby increasingthe thickness. Accordingly, depth D may be approximately 4.25 inches inone implementation.

FIG. 2 illustrates electrical box 10 secured to structural wall 38 and afirst electrical device 48 secured within first chamber 24. Electricaldevice 48 is secured within the electrical box through device yokes 50at electrical device mounting tabs 34 and holes 36. Electrical wiring 52is fed down structural wall 38 and passes through cord clamp 46 intofirst chamber 24 where it is connected to first electrical device 48.

FIG. 3 illustrates electrical box 10 with right portion 16 of peripheralwall 12 removed to view second chamber 26 and a second electrical device54. In this implementation, second electrical device 54 is daisy-chainedto first electrical device with connecting electrical wire 56 secured tooutlet terminals on first electrical device 48. Connecting electricalwire 56 extends from first chamber 24 through cord clamps 46 in divider22 into second chamber 26 and ultimately line terminals of secondelectrical device 54.

Thus it is seen that two electrical devices can be located coaxialwithin a single electrical box but are accessible in different rooms.Further, only a single run of electrical wire 52 is necessary to powerboth electrical devices. In another aspect, dividing wall 22 providestwo separate chambers and first chamber 24 may receive high voltageelectrical wires through appropriate cord clamps, while second chamber26 may receive low voltage electrical wires through appropriate cordclamps, or vice versa.

While the implementations disclosed only illustrate a single-gangback-to-back electrical box, any number of gangs may be utilized withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope.

It will be understood that implementations are not limited to thespecific components disclosed herein, as virtually any componentsconsistent with the intended operation of a method and/or systemimplementation for an electrical box may be utilized. Accordingly, forexample, it should be understood that, while the drawing figures andaccompanying text show and describe a generally rectangular electricalbox, an electrical box of the present disclosure may contain any numberof sides. Common electrical box shapes also include round, square, andoctagonal. Components may comprise any shape, size, style, type, model,version, class, grade, measurement, concentration, material, weight,quantity, and/or the like consistent with the intended operation of amethod and/or system implementation for an electrical box.

The concepts disclosed herein are not limited to the specificimplementations shown herein. For example, it is specificallycontemplated that the components included in a particular implementationof an electrical box may be formed of any of many different types ofmaterials or combinations that can readily be formed into shaped objectsand that are consistent with the intended operation of an electricalbox. For example, the components may be formed of: rubbers (syntheticand/or natural) and/or other like materials; polymers and/or other likematerials; plastics, and/or other like materials; composites and/orother like materials; metals and/or other like materials; alloys and/orother like materials; and/or any combination of the foregoing.

Furthermore, embodiments of the electrical box may be manufacturedseparately and then assembled together, or any or all of the componentsmay be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with oneanother. Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneouslymay involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding,blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling,milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting,bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating,and/or the like. If any of the components are manufactured separately,they may then be coupled or removably coupled with one another in anymanner, such as with adhesive, a weld, a fastener, any combinationthereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, among otherconsiderations, the particular material(s) forming the components.

In places where the description above refers to particularimplementations of an electrical box, it should be readily apparent thata number of modifications may be made without departing from the spiritthereof and that these implementations may be applied to otherelectrical boxes. The accompanying claims are intended to cover suchmodifications as would fall within the true spirit and scope of thedisclosure set forth in this document. The presently disclosedimplementations are, therefore, to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the disclosure beingindicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description.All changes that come within the meaning of and range of equivalency ofthe claims are intended to be embraced therein.

We claim:
 1. An electrical box comprising: a peripheral wall extendingbetween a first end and a second end, the peripheral wall comprising atop portion, a bottom portion opposite the top portion, and at least oneside portion extending between the bottom portion and the top portion; afirst opening in the first end sized to house a first electrical deviceat least partially within a first chamber of the peripheral wall whenthe first electrical device is coupled to the first end of theperipheral wall; a second opening in the second end sized to house asecond electrical device at least partially within a second chamber ofthe peripheral wall when the second electrical device is coupled to thesecond end of the peripheral wall; and a dividing wall located betweenthe first opening and the second opening and separating the firstchamber and the second chamber, the dividing wall comprising a pluralityof cord clamps.
 2. The electrical box of claim 1 wherein the dividingwall is located halfway between the first opening and the secondopening.
 3. The electrical box of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cordclamps allows communication between the two chambers.
 4. The electricalbox of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cord clamps comprise a firstcord clamp that permits travel of electrical wire from the first chamberinto the second chamber and prevents travel of electrical wire from thesecond chamber into the first chamber, and at least a second cord clampthat permits travel of electrical wire from the second chamber into thefirst chamber and prevents travel of electrical wire from the firstchamber into the second chamber.
 5. The electrical box of claim 4,wherein the first the first cord clamp is biased to permit travel ofelectrical wire from the first chamber into the second chamber andprevent travel of electrical wire from the second chamber into the firstchamber, and the second cord clamp is biased to permit travel ofelectrical wire from the second chamber into the first chamber andprevent travel of electrical wire from the first chamber into the secondchamber.
 6. The electrical box of claim 1 further comprising a pluralityof cord clamps in the peripheral wall.
 7. The electrical box of claim 6wherein the plurality of cord clamps are in a top portion and a bottomportion of the peripheral wall.
 8. The electrical box of claim 1 furthercomprising a pair of mounting apertures for securing the electrical boxto the structural wall.
 9. The electrical box of claim 8 wherein themounting apertures are located on a top portion and a bottom portion ofthe peripheral wall and are angled with respect to the top and bottomportions.
 10. The electrical box of claim 1 wherein the peripheral wallincludes a predetermined depth from the first opening to the secondopening approximately equal to the structural wall thickness.
 11. Theelectrical box of claim 10 wherein the predetermined depth isapproximately 4.25 inches.
 12. The electrical box of claim 1 furthercomprising electrical device mounting tabs integral with the peripheralwall.
 13. The electrical box of claim 1 wherein the peripheral wall iscomposed of a metal or a plastic.
 14. The electrical box of claim 1wherein the first chamber receives a high voltage supply and the secondchamber receives a low voltage supply.
 15. A system for providing accessto electrical devices on two sides of a structural wall comprising: ahousing having a central passage therein and terminating in a firstopening at a first end and a second opening at a second end; a centraldivider separating the first end and the second end; a plurality of cordclamps positioned on the central divider; a pair of mounting tabsintegral to the housing at the first end and the second end; a firstelectrical device secured to the mounting tabs at the first end andextending into the first opening; and, a second electrical devicesecured to the mounting tabs at the second end and extending into thesecond opening.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first electricaldevice is electrically connected to the second electrical device throughat least one of the plurality of cord clamps.
 17. The system of claim 15wherein the housing further comprises a plurality of cord clamps. 18.The system of claim 15 further comprising a pair of mounting aperturesfor securing the electrical box to the structural wall.
 19. Anelectrical box, comprising: a peripheral wall comprising a top portion,a bottom portion opposite the top portion, two side portions oppositeone another and extending between the top portion and the bottomportion, two chambers on opposing open ends of the peripheral wall, andat least one mounting tab positioned proximate each of the open ends,the two chambers each being sized to at least partially house adifferent electrical device when the electrical device is coupled to themounting tab; and a divider positioned between the opposing ends of theperipheral wall and separating the two chambers, the divider comprising:a first cord clamp that permits travel of electrical wire from a firstchamber of the two chambers into a second chamber of the two chambersand prevents travel of electrical wire from the second chamber into thefirst chamber; and a second cord clamp that permits travel of electricalwire from the second chamber into the first chamber, and prevents travelof electrical wire from the first chamber into the second chamber. 20.The electrical box of claim 19, wherein the first and the at leastsecond cord clamps comprise biased cord clamps and the electrical boxfurther comprises at least one biased cord clamp on the top portion ofthe peripheral wall and at least one biased cord clamp on the bottomportion of the peripheral wall.